Professor Ronald J. Colombo joined other legal scholars in signing an amicus brief filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a religious exemption to the Little Sisters, allowing them to avoid the “contraceptive mandate” imposed upon them pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. The Little Sisters, an order of Catholic nuns devoted to charitable works, demonstrated that obedience to the contraceptive mandate would mean disobedience to their religious principles.

The State of California has filed suit challenging the religious exemption granted to the Little Sisters, arguing that the contraceptive mandate must be imposed upon them.

The amicus brief defends the Little Sisters against that the State of California, arguing that California’s interpretation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is flawed and incorrect.